Michael Gauntlett

Site Reviewer/Proofreader

Vital Statistics

High quality 16x9 enhanced transfers and films presented in their original aspect ratio.

Video Dislikes

Pan and Scan transfers and poorly mastered DVD titles.

Audio Likes

Well constructed surround sound soundtracks (DTS preferable) that create an encompassing sound field but don't immediately drew attention to themselves.

Audio Dislikes

Drop-outs, crackles, tape noise.

Favourite DVDs

Lord of the Rings Trilogy, 2001, Vertigo, Boogie Nights, Almost Famous and Goodfellas.

Least Favourite DVDs

The Abyss. Great movie but awful, awful transfer. We need a rerelease.

Most Eagerly Awaited DVDs

Remastered Vertigo. I saw a 70mm print of Vertigo a few years ago and the current DVD does not even come close to it. (UPDATE: It's been released in R1 and I have it. A bit dissapointed. Too much edge enhancement and it's been brightened a bit too much.)

Opinions About Specific Movies and their DVDs

Titanic

Take away the interesting back drop of the Titanic disaster and what do we have? Poor boys falls in love with rich girl. Rich girl has mean spirited and nasty boyfriend. And so on. Predictable, cliched and by the numbers. It has one of the best distaster sequences ever when the boat sinks but for the money they spend you'd hope so.

The Matrix

Loved the first movie. Really made me think the first time I walked out of the cinemas after seeing it. The sequals have been so average when they could have been so good. A real shame.

Terminator 2

Good fun action.

Star Wars

The original trilogy is a favorite of mine but I don't like the new ones much. The story seems to be there only to support the special effects.

Godzilla

Saw it once when it came out on DVD. Thank goodness I didn't waste my money seeing this at the cinemas.

Top 10 DVDs

1. Vertigo (1958)
I'm a big Hitchcock fan and this is one of his best

2. Dr. Strangelove: 40th Anniversary Edition (1964)
I've lost count of the number times I've watched this

3. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: Special Edition (2004)
I'm not normally a Jim Carey fan, but in this film with a screenplay by the innovative Charlie Kaufman, he plays against type in his best ever performance.

4. The Silence of the Lambs: Special Edition/Gold Edition (1991)
Another film I've watched many times.

5. 2001: A Space Odyssey: Collector's Box Set (1968)
Leaves you with more questions than answers, really makes you think

6. Goodfellas: Special Edition (1990)
One of Scorsese's best.

7. Gods and Monsters (1999)
Sir Ian McKellen at his very best. Even Brendan Fraser is pretty good. If you have not seen it, rush out and rent (or better still buy) the DVD. Not to be missed.

8. Star Wars-Episode IV/V/VI Box Set (1977)
I love the original Trilogy. Grew up with it.

9. Seven: Special Edition (1995)
It's a real toss up between this and Pulp Fiction but I still think this is David Fincher's best film. Probably one of the most erilly atmospheric films of the mid 90s.

10. Pulp Fiction: 10th Anniversary 2-Disc Collector's Edition (1994)
It may steal shamelessly from other films but it was incredibly innovative at the time and still stands up well.